I am prompted to write this short blog following this headline in the Isle of Wight County Press - the local paper.
Rules banning dogs from cemeteries, beaches and playgrounds published by Isle of Wight Council
Reading a little more - it was proposals put out for public discussion. There were quickly many comments added to the comments page. To say the debate quickly polarised is an understatement. Is there some the commonsense middle ground ?
The pro dog lobby :
In my opinion, ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. Ideally training should commence with puppies, as no one can predict when their dog might need to be muzzled in the future. Any dog that is frightened or in pain, may react aggressively if it feels it has no other option. The worst thing that can then happen is for of the dog to have a muzzle placed onto its face, having never experienced one before.
Some of the most interesting feedback from a puppy class I used to run, was how pleasantly surprised the owners were when up to a year later, their dog accepted a muzzle without a problem. This was after just 10-15 minutes of the first stages of muzzle training (placing a treat at the back of the muzzle and letting the puppy place its head in to retrieve the treat) when the puppies were between 10 and 14 weeks of age. This shows that allowing puppies to have a positive experience with a muzzle may help them to accept a muzzle later in life.
If a dog is introduced to a muzzle properly and time is taken to make the experience fun and positive, most dogs will accept a muzzle very well. The video below from The Blue Cross shows how easy and fun muzzle training can be.
In my opinion, ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. Ideally training should commence with puppies, as no one can predict when their dog might need to be muzzled in the future. Any dog that is frightened or in pain, may react aggressively if it feels it has no other option. The worst thing that can then happen is for of the dog to have a muzzle placed onto its face, having never experienced one before.
Some of the most interesting feedback from a puppy class I used to run, was how pleasantly surprised the owners were when up to a year later, their dog accepted a muzzle without a problem. This was after just 10-15 minutes of the first stages of muzzle training (placing a treat at the back of the muzzle and letting the puppy place its head in to retrieve the treat) when the puppies were between 10 and 14 weeks of age. This shows that allowing puppies to have a positive experience with a muzzle may help them to accept a muzzle later in life.
If a dog is introduced to a muzzle properly and time is taken to make the experience fun and positive, most dogs will accept a muzzle very well. The video below from The Blue Cross shows how easy and fun muzzle training can be.
In my opinion, ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. Ideally training should commence with puppies, as no one can predict when their dog might need to be muzzled in the future. Any dog that is frightened or in pain, may react aggressively if it feels it has no other option. The worst thing that can then happen is for of the dog to have a muzzle placed onto its face, having never experienced one before.
Some of the most interesting feedback from a puppy class I used to run, was how pleasantly surprised the owners were when up to a year later, their dog accepted a muzzle without a problem. This was after just 10-15 minutes of the first stages of muzzle training (placing a treat at the back of the muzzle and letting the puppy place its head in to retrieve the treat) when the puppies were between 10 and 14 weeks of age. This shows that allowing puppies to have a positive experience with a muzzle may help them to accept a muzzle later in life.
If a dog is introduced to a muzzle properly and time is taken to make the experience fun and positive, most dogs will accept a muzzle very well. The video below from The Blue Cross shows how easy and fun muzzle training can be.
In my opinion, ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. Ideally training should commence with puppies, as no one can predict when their dog might need to be muzzled in the future. Any dog that is frightened or in pain, may react aggressively if it feels it has no other option. The worst thing that can then happen is for of the dog to have a muzzle placed onto its face, having never experienced one before.
Some of the most interesting feedback from a puppy class I used to run, was how pleasantly surprised the owners were when up to a year later, their dog accepted a muzzle without a problem. This was after just 10-15 minutes of the first stages of muzzle training (placing a treat at the back of the muzzle and letting the puppy place its head in to retrieve the treat) when the puppies were between 10 and 14 weeks of age. This shows that allowing puppies to have a positive experience with a muzzle may help them to accept a muzzle later in life.
If a dog is introduced to a muzzle properly and time is taken to make the experience fun and positive, most dogs will accept a muzzle very well. The video below from The Blue Cross shows how easy and fun muzzle training can be.
Rules banning dogs from cemeteries, beaches and playgrounds published by Isle of Wight Council
Reading a little more - it was proposals put out for public discussion. There were quickly many comments added to the comments page. To say the debate quickly polarised is an understatement. Is there some the commonsense middle ground ?
The pro dog lobby :
- Dogs offer important companionship and they are part of our society.
- Dogs help people take exercise.
- Dog owners have as much right to use public spaces as anyone else. (parents need to control their children)
- Most dog owners are responsible - they keep their dogs under control and clean up after them.
- Most IOW beaches have dog restrictions in force during the summer months.
- Rules and restrictions already exist regarding dog management and responsible ownership but the rules are rarely enforced by the Local Authority ( lack of Dog Wardens ).
The anti dog lobby :
- Dog mess too evident.
- Dogs off the lead pose a potential threat - especially to children.
- Many people are nervous/scared of dogs.
- While most dog owners are responsible plenty are not.
- Dogs on beaches a disincentive for tourism. Of course some feel the opposite might be true.
Is there a middle ground? :
We have recently lost our dog. We had him for 15 years and he was an integral part of our family life. One thing that is obvious - dogs love exercise. They are happier - it is natural for them to want to run free on a regular basis. Not being able to exercise your dog properly would be cruel in my opinion.
I think dog ownership is part of our society and plenty of good emanates from it. However dog owners do need to acknowledge there are potential negatives too. (some dog owners are not very good at that - heavy on rights - light on responsibilities) (I have some issue with the choice of dog in an urban environment - why choose a Husky type for instance).
However I have one overriding and massive reservation. I have 2 little grand children (and felt the same when my children were small). Dogs off the lead (or on very long leads) can be very intimidating. Of course few dogs bite - but occasionally they do. Dogs can be unpredictable with strangers. Certainly scared children can spook a dog. Dogs can react differently off the lead. I have seen them form packs on the beach. Dogs sometimes chase cyclists and joggers. Most of the time they are having fun - but not always of course. Dogs can be very territorial.
So my massive reservation - unknown dogs and unknown children do not mix in public spaces (even with responsible dog ownership).
Many owners have implicit faith in their dog and offer assurance it "is just playing - it will not hurt you". They might be right.
Many owners have implicit faith in their dog and offer assurance it "is just playing - it will not hurt you". They might be right.
As a parent and particularly now as a grandparent that is a risk I am unwilling to take and I do not think it is fair or reasonable that dog owners place their fellow public in this position.
My conclusion - dogs in public places should be muzzled. If this is done I see no reason to further ban them from most public spaces (just the issue of dog dirt to be tightened up on - education and enforcement).
Please see the link below :
https://www.dogbehaviourconsultant.co.uk/single-post-page/2014/12/16/The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Muzzling-Dogs
This is an excellent article and I commend it to you.
Responsibly muzzling dogs in public places might seem draconian. I would not advocate it if I understood it to be harmful to dogs. It seems like a commonsense solution but there would be massive resistance from dog owners as there would be to any suggestion to curtail/control dog ownership.
UPDATE
https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/17997875.thousands-sign-petitions-isle-wight-council-publishes-rules-banning-dogs-beaches-cemeteries/
UPDATE
https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/17997875.thousands-sign-petitions-isle-wight-council-publishes-rules-banning-dogs-beaches-cemeteries/
Everyone will have their own personal opinion on whether muzzling a dog is a good or bad thing. Many people I speak to who do not like muzzles, often have a bad association with them. This may be due to an experience with their own dog who became very distressed when wearing one (e.g. for a vet visit), or due to the misconception that all dogs who are muzzled are “dangerous” which leads to the dog and owner being judged.
In my opinion, ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. Ideally training should commence with puppies, as no one can predict when their dog might need to be muzzled in the future. Any dog that is frightened or in pain, may react aggressively if it feels it has no other option. The worst thing that can then happen is for of the dog to have a muzzle placed onto its face, having never experienced one before.
Some of the most interesting feedback from a puppy class I used to run, was how pleasantly surprised the owners were when up to a year later, their dog accepted a muzzle without a problem. This was after just 10-15 minutes of the first stages of muzzle training (placing a treat at the back of the muzzle and letting the puppy place its head in to retrieve the treat) when the puppies were between 10 and 14 weeks of age. This shows that allowing puppies to have a positive experience with a muzzle may help them to accept a muzzle later in life.
If a dog is introduced to a muzzle properly and time is taken to make the experience fun and positive, most dogs will accept a muzzle very well. The video below from The Blue Cross shows how easy and fun muzzle training can be.
veryone will have their own personal opinion on whether muzzling a dog is a good or bad thing. Many people I speak to who do not like muzzles, often have a bad association with them. This may be due to an experience with their own dog who became very distressed when wearing one (e.g. for a vet visit), or due to the misconception that all dogs who are muzzled are “dangerous” which leads to the dog and owner being judged.
In my opinion, ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. Ideally training should commence with puppies, as no one can predict when their dog might need to be muzzled in the future. Any dog that is frightened or in pain, may react aggressively if it feels it has no other option. The worst thing that can then happen is for of the dog to have a muzzle placed onto its face, having never experienced one before.
Some of the most interesting feedback from a puppy class I used to run, was how pleasantly surprised the owners were when up to a year later, their dog accepted a muzzle without a problem. This was after just 10-15 minutes of the first stages of muzzle training (placing a treat at the back of the muzzle and letting the puppy place its head in to retrieve the treat) when the puppies were between 10 and 14 weeks of age. This shows that allowing puppies to have a positive experience with a muzzle may help them to accept a muzzle later in life.
If a dog is introduced to a muzzle properly and time is taken to make the experience fun and positive, most dogs will accept a muzzle very well. The video below from The Blue Cross shows how easy and fun muzzle training can be.
Everyone will have their own personal opinion on whether muzzling a dog is a good or bad thing. Many people I speak to who do not like muzzles, often have a bad association with them. This may be due to an experience with their own dog who became very distressed when wearing one (e.g. for a vet visit), or due to the misconception that all dogs who are muzzled are “dangerous” which leads to the dog and owner being judged.
In my opinion, ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. Ideally training should commence with puppies, as no one can predict when their dog might need to be muzzled in the future. Any dog that is frightened or in pain, may react aggressively if it feels it has no other option. The worst thing that can then happen is for of the dog to have a muzzle placed onto its face, having never experienced one before.
Some of the most interesting feedback from a puppy class I used to run, was how pleasantly surprised the owners were when up to a year later, their dog accepted a muzzle without a problem. This was after just 10-15 minutes of the first stages of muzzle training (placing a treat at the back of the muzzle and letting the puppy place its head in to retrieve the treat) when the puppies were between 10 and 14 weeks of age. This shows that allowing puppies to have a positive experience with a muzzle may help them to accept a muzzle later in life.
If a dog is introduced to a muzzle properly and time is taken to make the experience fun and positive, most dogs will accept a muzzle very well. The video below from The Blue Cross shows how easy and fun muzzle training can be.
Everyone will have their own personal opinion on whether muzzling a dog is a good or bad thing. Many people I speak to who do not like muzzles, often have a bad association with them. This may be due to an experience with their own dog who became very distressed when wearing one (e.g. for a vet visit), or due to the misconception that all dogs who are muzzled are “dangerous” which leads to the dog and owner being judged.
In my opinion, ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. Ideally training should commence with puppies, as no one can predict when their dog might need to be muzzled in the future. Any dog that is frightened or in pain, may react aggressively if it feels it has no other option. The worst thing that can then happen is for of the dog to have a muzzle placed onto its face, having never experienced one before.
Some of the most interesting feedback from a puppy class I used to run, was how pleasantly surprised the owners were when up to a year later, their dog accepted a muzzle without a problem. This was after just 10-15 minutes of the first stages of muzzle training (placing a treat at the back of the muzzle and letting the puppy place its head in to retrieve the treat) when the puppies were between 10 and 14 weeks of age. This shows that allowing puppies to have a positive experience with a muzzle may help them to accept a muzzle later in life.
If a dog is introduced to a muzzle properly and time is taken to make the experience fun and positive, most dogs will accept a muzzle very well. The video below from The Blue Cross shows how easy and fun muzzle training can be.
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